According to Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad spokesperson Robert Parlett, the call came in around 8:14 for a fire in the building that houses the crematorium. When firefighters arrived, volunteers found that the crematory machine was on fire.

Because of easy access to the blaze, Parlett said firefighters were able to get the fire under control quickly, and kept it mostly contained to the roof directly above the machine.

“There was a lot of smoke,” Parlett said. “And it was a big fire, but we were able to get it under control quickly.”